DOT awards state over $10M for road repairs

CAPITAL DISTRICT  New York State is receiving nearly $10.25 million in federal aid to help repair flood-damaged highways.

Congressman Paul Tonko announced on Monday, Nov. 28, that the U.S. Department of Transportation awarded New York State $7.7 million to repair roads damaged by Hurricane Irene, and $2.6 million to fix damage caused by Tropical Storm Lee. The funding is provided though the Federal Highway Administration’s Emergency Relief Program. Gov. Andrew Cuomo previously requested the funding through the state’s disaster declaration.

“I want to thank the U.S. Department of Transportation for working to get these funds to New York to help fund repairs necessary to restore our highways,” said Tonko in a statement. “This is another positive step as work continues to get our communities back on their feet following the severe late summer weather.”

The funding will be used for emergency repairs to fix damage and restore traffic flow, along with permanent repairs necessary to restore highways to pre-disaster condition, according to Tonko’s office. Hurricane Irene caused damage to roads and bridges in 31 counties statewide. Tropical Storm Lee followed 11 days later, which resulted in additional damage to some areas. The affected counties in Tonko’s congressional district are Albany, Montgomery, Rensselaer, Saratoga, Schenectady and Schoharie.

The DOT Emergency Relief Program provides funding for reconstruction of highways suffering serious damage as a result of natural disasters or catastrophic failures from an external cause, according to Tonko’s office. This funding was made available in the appropriations bill Congress recently approved.